Your Personal Board of Directors
Every professional woman needs her own personal “Board of Directors.”
Whether you’re a woman in corporate America, a female business owner, or you’re currently going through a career change, having your own personal Board of Directors is an effective (and fun!) way to get career support and advice from people you trust.
Your personal Board of Directors should include 5-10 individuals you assemble for the purpose of developing and navigating your career. It should be people who know you well, have your best interests at heart, and give you terrific advice, feedback, and input regarding your career.
It’s best to have a diverse Board of Directors. It shouldn’t just be people in your field/industry. That way, you’ll have a wider range of perspectives and opinions that you can put together to have the best advice.
The very act of recruiting your personal Board of Directors is a fantastic exercise in itself. It allows you to take a look at who you really have in your network and how you can best utilize those relationships.
How to use your personal Board of Directors:
Ask them questions to help you understand your greatest strengths and skills
Understand your gaps or blindspots
Learn different leadership styles and how to emulate them
Get feedback on specific projects or focus areas
Use them as a sounding board when making career decisions
Introduce you to individuals in their network who can help you meet your career goals
Accountability to make sure you’re focused and stay on track
The same way a company has regularly scheduled meetings with its Board of Directors, you should meet with your personal Board of Directors consistently to guide you in your decision-making and career development.
Having a personal Board of Directors is particularly useful when you’re making a career transition. If you’re seeking a new job, this is a perfect opportunity to assemble a team who can help you not just land a great job, but also meet your long-term career goals. They care about your success and will support you as you navigate your job search. Make sure to tell them to look out for possible job opportunities for you, and ask them make introductions to anyone they know who is hiring or can help you reach your career goals.
If you’re changing jobs, here are some questions to ask your personal Board of Directors:
What kind of job do you think I should be pursuing?
What should I tell a prospective employer about me that they don’t know?
What do you think is the biggest misconception people might have about me?
What other industries/fields of work do you think I should consider given my skills and experience?
Finally, remember that your personal Board of Directors is a relationship. You’ll benefit greatly from your relationships with these individuals, but it’s a 2-way street— show them your appreciation. When you land a new job or celebrate a career milestone, write them a hand-written thank you note, take them out to dinner, or give them a personalized shout-out on LinkedIn. And even consider joining another professional woman’s personal Board of Directors to pay it forward to her!
